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The Austin (Texas) Science and Mathematics Consortium funded by a 4-year grant that has 2 basic goals: to improve the skills of K-12 teachers in science and mathematics and to increase student learning and performance in science concepts. Program activities, which began in 1990-91, focus on four components: curriculum development, staff development, student participation, and private sector involvement. This evaluative report relates findings that emerged from survey data collected from participating teachers and students. The three new curricula piloted during 1991-92 focused on environmental issues and received positive ratings from the piloting teachers. Most students who participated in the pilot curricula projects reported an increased knowledge and awareness of environmental issues. Some students reported increased interest in science. During the three staff development institutes held for teachers during the summer of 1991, teachers received training in educational technology and curriculum development. As a result of the Technology Institute, teachers reported an increase in both their computer skills and classroom use. However, few of the teachers who participated in the institute on water pollution consistently monitored their curriculum-related activities, resulting in little information on the impact of this staff development activity. The program included extensive private sector involvement. (IAH)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert